Interesting information on Wood Bats

[jsalinas]

I came across some interesting reading regarding wood and baseball bats.

Why Ash?
- Pound per pound, ash is the strongest timber available
-Ash has the flexibility that isn't found in other timbers like maple. It tends to flex rather than break. Thsi gives you a larger, more forgiving sweet spot in terms of breakage.
-Ash is lighter than maple, giving you a wider range of large barrel models.
-One down side to ash is that it tends to flake or de-laminate after extensive use.

Who uses Ash?
Nomar Garciaparra
Derek Jeter
Alex Rodriguez
Lance Berkman
Jim Thome
Ivan Rodriguez
Alex Rios

Why Maple?
-Maple is a very dense timber with greater surface hardness than ash. Some players believe this hardness gives them better performance.
-Maple is a closed-grained timber with a structure similar to layers in a laminated product. Thsi makes the bat leas prone to flake than an ash bat and allows for a maple bat to be more durable.
-When maple bat breaks, it tends to snap in half rather than just splinter like ash.
-The heavier weight of maple makes it difficult to make lightweight large barrel models. Most players who use maple use a model with a small barrel to get the bat weight they desire.

Who uses Maple?
Adam Dunn
Manny Ramirez
Ken Griffey, jr
Nick Swisher
David Eckstein
Grady Sizemore
Jeff Francoeur

[Ernest]

I've read that before. Also that most people concerend for player and fan safety would rather ash bats be used becasue they do splinter instead of breaking in half, thus becoming dangerous flying projectiles.

But that most players using maple will not give up using maple no matter the risk.

[jsalinas]

It seems that everyone is making wood bats. I have a friend that swears he can get quality billets to make wood baseball bats.

I need to buy a lathe first.

[CHAPULIN]

I'D USE A MESQUITE BAT